3 Things To Do If You Have Car Trouble While Traveling
When planning your travels, most people hope for the best possible outcomes. You hope that your plane will arrive on time, that your reservations are actually made and confirmed, and that the weather will pan out perfectly. However, living in the real world, these same people who hope for the best often also plan for the worst. One of these things that you might be planning for, but hoping doesn’t happen, is having car troubles. So to help ensure that you’re able to face this obstacle and get back on the road quickly, here are three things you should do if you start having car trouble while you’re traveling.
Keep Your Phone Charged
Regardless of where you’re driving, whether you’re traveling far from home or not, it’s always a good idea to have your phone charged. But especially if you’re on a road trip or driving somewhere that you’re unfamiliar with, SF Gate advises that you bring a charger with you in the car. By doing this, you’ll be able to get in contact with anyone that you might need to in the event that you’re having car trouble. Depending on what happens and what you need, this might mean calling a tow truck, a mobile mechanic, the police, or a loved one in the area.
Always Know Where You Are
Driving through country that you don’t know well can present a problem for your safety on the road. Not only will you not be aware of how the roads come together and any precautions that you should be taking, but it can also be hard for you to tell someone how to find you if you’re in need of assistance. For this reason, Cheryl Knight, a contributor to YourMechanic.com, shares that you as the driver should always know where you are. Try to keep as detailed of a record as you can of where you are, what you’ve just passed, any street names or mile markers that you’re near. This information will be invaluable if you get into some type of accident and need to tell emergency services exactly where they can find you.
Document Everything When In A Rental Car
If you’re driving in a rental car, things can quickly become much more complicated if you start having car troubles. Because the car isn’t yours, you might be unsure what actions you’re allowed to take and what will be left as your responsibility. To help you maneuver this terrain, Nancy Parode, a contributor to TripSavvy.com, recommends documenting everything that you do or are told when you’re in a rental car. Especially if you call the rental company and are told to take certain actions, make sure you write down who told you to do what so that, if something goes wrong or you are left holding the bill, you can refute the claims that rental company may be trying to make.
If you run into car trouble when you’re traveling, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you get through this challenge with minimal down time.
